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Voices loud in conversation can be heard as they draw near; the door is slightly ajar Florence drawing back as they come quite up to it, the old lady waves her aside, and advances boldly to the front Flinging wide open the door, she bursts upon the astonished conity that only heightens the attractions of the cap and gown "Have you secured him? Sir Adrian, where is the constable? Have you sent for hiaze is fixed upon the fair vision in the trailing white gown standing tiator, and the others, taken by surprise, maintain a solemn silence

"Why this mystery?" demands Lady FitzAlmont sternly "Where is the miscreant? Where is the man that fired that eon dryly, indicating Arthur Dynecourt by a motion of the hand

"He--who? Mr Dynecourt?" ejaculates her ladyship in a disappointed tone "It was all a mistake, then? I nant tone, "that I think you ht find a more suitable tiet-shooting, than in the ht to be wrapped in sluins Arthur Dynecourt, who is strangely pale and discomposed, "it was all an accident--an--"

"Accident! Nonsense, sir; I don't believe there was any accident whatsoever!"

As these words pass the lips of the irascible old lady, several lances Is it that old Lady FitzAlhts into words?

"Let me explain to your ladyship," says Sir Adrian courteously "We were just talking about that unfortunate affair of the Stewarts, and Maitland was showing us how it ht have occurred I had the revolver inthe weapon toward himself

"Put down that abominable weapon at once, sir!" coled with abject fear As she speaks she retreats precipitately behind Florence, thus pushing that young lady to the fore

"When ainst oes on Sir Adrian "I'rieved, Lady FitzAlmont, that this should have occurred to disturb the household; but, really, it was a pure accident"

"A pure accident," repeats Arthur, from between his colorless lips